February 11–14, 2021 North American storm complex

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Revision as of 18:13, 15 March 2021 by HikingHurricane (talk | contribs) (ice total)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) For other winter storms that also affected the continent in the same month, see February 2021 North American winter storm.

February 11–14, 2021 North American storm complex
GOES-16 satellite imagery of the winter storm on February 13, 2021



Type	Extratropical cyclone Winter storm Blizzard Ice storm
Formed	February 11, 2021
Dissipated	February 15, 2021



Lowest pressure	1010 mb (29.83 inHg)



Maximum snowfall or ice accretion	Ice – 1.5 in (3.8 cm) in Canby, Oregon



Fatalities	0 fatalities
Power outages	> 480,000
Areas affected	Northwestern United States, Central United States, Mid-Atlantic states, Northeastern United States
Part of the 2020–21 North American winter

The February 11–14, 2021 North American storm complex was a winter storm, and ice storm in the Western United States, which impacted the Pacific Northwest, bringing light to moderate snow to that region before bringing more severe winter weather to the Northeastern United States a few days later. With totals of more than 0.50 inch of ice, it was the worst ice storm for parts of Virginia in over 20 years. It was unofficially referred to as Winter Storm Tabitha by the Weather Channel.

Meteorological history

Strong east winds from a high pressure system brought cold air from Canada into Washington and Oregon. These winds blowing from the east through the Columbia River Gorge produced well below freezing temperatures in the Portland metropolitan area on President's Day weekend and the days prior. Simultaneously, two systems from the Pacific Ocean were expected to result in snow and freezing rain in the Portland area due to the aforementioned influx of cold, arctic air. The first system arrived on Thursday afternoon, producing snow accumulation in the Olympia, Washington area. In Portland, temperatures were not cold enough to result in much more than a dusting from light snow flurries. Overnight, the second system of moisture arrived and produced steady snow and freezing rain in the Portland area throughout Friday and into Saturday early morning. By Saturday daybreak, Clark County, Washington had received from 7-12 inches of snow.

Impact

The storm brought light to moderate snow and freezing rain to the Pacific Northwest, which would be compounded by another storm a few days later. The energy from this storm would cause an ice storm of the Mid-Atlantic with the worst affected state being Virginia. 480,000 customers were left without power due to downed trees and power poles.

The 6.1 inches of snowfall in Portland, Oregon on February 12 ties the airport monthly record of 6.1 inches set Feb 19, 1993. The event proved to be historic for the Portland metropolitan area in the month of February. The first ice storm warning ever issued for Richmond, Virginia was due to this storm.

References

"Winter Storm Tabitha to Arrive in the East this Weekend". weather.com. The Weather Company. February 13, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
"Virginia responds to worst ice storm in two decades: 'It's all hands on deck'". wric.
"Winter storm brings inches of snow to Clark County". The Columbian.
"Winter Storm Exiting Northeast With Snow and Ice | The Weather Channel - Articles from The Weather Channel | weather.com". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
Domingo, Ida (2021-02-15). "Thousands remain without power in Virginia after ice storm". WSET. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
"Winter Storm Warnings: Widespread impacts in Portland, valley". Feb 13, 2021. Retrieved Feb 16, 2021.
"ICE STORM WARNING: First of its kind for the Richmond area". 8News. 2021-02-12. Retrieved 2021-02-15.

External links

2021 Storm Summaries from the Weather Prediction Center

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